18
Game season beginning April 28, 2008 striving for 100% play but not
mandatory.
The
pitcher must wear a chest protection device while on the mound.
Pitching
will be 32-46 feet.
Only
official Little League bats are allowed (2-1/4”)
All
players will field at least two (2) innings, unless an injury occurs.All players must play the outfield at
least 2 innings each game.
Each
team must have at least (8) players to start or continue a game.If at any time this rule is not met, the
game is over and the team with enough players to play, (8) or more wins.
There
will be no borrowing from another Midget team to fill a team.Call ups from tee ball are permitted,
the call up will be an outfielder, and must wear his roster uniform.
The
opposing team’s manager will be notified before the start of the game is a
boy/girl will not be playing due to disciplinary or sickness reasons.If illness occurs during the game then
the player removed will be an out the first time their spot in the batting
order comes up.Subsequent at bats
are just passed over.A player may
return to the game if able to continue.
Ground
rules will be discussed before the start of the game.Ground rules must stay consistent.
No
Infield Fly.
Base
distance will be sixty (60) feet.Three-quarter marks will be used between the bases. Lines will be
marked to the bases prior to the game.
Batting
helmets must be worn while batting and running the bases.
Catchers
must wear a chest protector, face mask, a catcher’s helmet and a
protective athletic supporter.Fielders’
gloves or catchers gloves are permitted.
A
runner must make every effort to slide or avoid contact while running the
bases.Runners are not out if they
do not slide.
No
head first slides except when returning to a base.One warning per team will be given by
the umpire; subsequent head first slides by any player will result in an
out.
All
games end fifteen (15) minutes before the scheduled start time of the next
game.Regulation games shall be six
(6) innings. Official game – A game is official after 4 1/2 innings.If the game is tied after 4 1/2 innings
and the game is stopped due to inclement weather, darkness, or time
constraints, the game will finish as a tie.If a game is tied after 6 innings the
game will remain a tie.If the game
is stopped before 4 1/2 innings due to inclement weather or darkness; the
game must be replayed from the start.
The
home team managers must give the opposing manager three (3) dates which to
play a make up game (these dates must be open for both teams).All games should be rescheduled within
one week of the original game date.
Midgets
bat the bench.
Teams
will play all players in the field until May 31. Beginning June 1 there
will be (10) in the field.The
players after May 31 will consist of a pitcher, catcher, four (4)
infielders and four (4) outfielders (no rover).No outfielder may be within thirty (30)
feet of the base line.
No
outfielder can make an infield play; they must throw the ball to an
infielder.
Managers
or coaches will pitch to their teams.If a batted ball hits a manager or coach or if the manager or coach
(while pitching) interferes with a fielder, batter or runner, the ball is
dead and the batter returns to bat and runners return to base.The pitch will be a no pitch.
Each
batter has eight (8) pitches.The
batter must swing by the eighth pitch or be called out.As long as contact is made (foul) the
batter will get another pitch.
A
batter gets four (4) strikes.There
are no walks or awards of first base due to the batter being hit by a
pitch.
The 3
yard ark rule will apply.Should a
batted ball not travel more than (9) feet from the back of the plate it
will be counted as a foul ball.The
ark should be laid out prior to the start of the game in chalk.
¾
lines will be placed on the field (15 ft. from second, third and home
plate).If the runner is not passed
the ¾ line prior to the umpire calling time, the runner will return to the
last base they were on or passed.
Over
throws at any base (foul or not) will stop play until May 31.
Overthrows
into foul territory at first and third only will stop play after May
31.Overthrows at second or up/down
the line and not in foul territory at first and third will be a live ball.
Runners
on base cannot leave the base until the ball is hit.If they are off the base and the ball is
not hit (ball or strike called) they will be called out.One warning per team.“The umpire must see it”.
The
home team is responsible for a volunteer umpire.He should umpire the game from behind
the plate.
No
appeals!Umpires will call what
he/she sees.
Only
the manager will have a dialog with umpire, coaches and other volunteer
help may not comment, or question the umpires calls (technical on not).
No
umpire should be younger than fourteen (14) years old as of April 30,
2007.
Any
player throwing the bat will be warned along with the rest of the players
on that team.The next player form
that team to throw a bat will be called out, the play will be dead and the
runners will return to their bases.
When five
(5) runs are scored in the offensive teams half of the inning, the
offensive team automatically takes the field regardless of the number of
outs.The inning shall not end
however until play has been stopped and all runs resulting from that play
shall be counted.Example:the offensive team has scored four (4)
runs in the current inning and the bases are loaded.The batters after hitting the ball stops
at second base, when the play has ended all the base runners have crossed
the plate.The three runs count and
the team will be entitled to seven (7) runs in that inning.
The five
(5) run rule is waved in the final inning. (3) Outs must be made to end a
side.
The
“ball” is in play between the lines
Play
is stopped when the ball is thrown from the outfield to in the infield.
Control does not need to be established. Until May 31. Play is stopped
when an infielder is within the diamond and has control of the ball.
Control must be shown to the umpire (typically by holding the ball above
their head) After May 31.
While
on the mound the coach can do anything to instruct his player in the box
but can’t tell hem when to swing.
Blood
rule is in effect.
Roster
teams for league admission must be comprised of 10
players minimum. No exceptions. Teams may not form with the
intention of calling up players from younger leagues. Teams of 11
may form with other players dissolving into the other two
associations. Managers must insure that teams are fair and equitable
to play in inter league competition. Grievances will be reviewed by
appropriate governing members and appropriate action, including exclusion
from league play, will be determined by majority rule.